§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the size of the cuts that will be required in (a) the British Council, (b) the Central Council for Information and (c) the BBC External Services, giving the figures in both percentage and money terms;
(2) by what percentage he expects the budget of his Department to be reduced as a result of the recent public expenditure cuts; and what amount of money this represents.
§ Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide details of the cuts to be made in 1977–78 amounting to £5 million in overseas services other than aid.
§ Mr. HattersleyNo decision has been taken yet as to how much of the £5 million cut which the Government recently decided should be applied in 1977–78 to overseas services other than aid is to be borne by public expenditure programmes controlled by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Until such a decision is taken, no further decision can be taken about the size of any cuts to be applied to the British Council, the Central Office of Information and BBC External Services.